Hi, I'm Gabby. I
live near the ocean. I respect everything that lives in the sea. I love marine animals  especially dolphins. When I grow up, I'd like to study
dolphins to learn everything I can about them.

Even if you live nowhere near the water, there are some simple ways in which kids can help protect oceans and ocean life. Can you get involved? How many
of these things can you do to help?

hen you visit the seashore, look closely at the animals and plants in the tide pools, but don't touch them or disturb their homes.

njoy looking after animals in a home aquarium, but fill it with fish that were raised to be pets, not wild fish.

sk your family to recycle motor oil at a gas station. Even if you don't live near the coast, everything that goes down a drain ends up in the ocean.

esearch marine conservation groups. Many work to protect sea birds, whales, or other marine animals and plants. Join one that interests you.

verything you throw away ends up somewhere. A lot of trash is dumped in the ocean. Recycle when possible, especially plastics!

atch your pets (like dogs) when you're at the coast  they can disturb the local wildlife.

sk for tap water instead of bottled water. Packaging and shipping the two billion
gallons (eight billion liters) of bottled water that Americans drink each year uses huge amounts of energy and produces tons of pollution.

ake the bus, ride your bike or walk rather than asking your parents to drive you
somewhere. This will burn fewer fossil fuels, and cut back on acid rain and water pollution.

at only fish that come from carefully monitored and sustainable fisheries or
aquaculture. Be selective about the seafood you eat.